Berneice Uldine Scullin was born 22 June 1907 in Dedham, Iowa. Her family were well to do and she had many opportunities growing up. One of her favorite activities was dancing and she had many friends.

As a young woman, she married Donald C. Lynn. Together they purchased and operated four gas stations in Los Angeles County, California and later they purchased a meat packing plant as well. The two enjoyed the good life of California. Although they had no children, they enjoyed their sail boat and often took it to Catalina Island with friends. On one trip they encountered a storm and were presumed lost at sea. Click here to see and read the original newspaper article!

Unfortunately, their boat was also involved in Berneice's divorce from Mr. Lynn. One day in 1951, she went out to the boat to find him there with another woman. Berniece would not put up with that and quickly ended the marriage.

Berneice U. Lynn was a real estate broker and developer at a time when it was not fashionable for women to be in the business world. It was not long after the divorce, about 1956, that Berniece built the Lynn Building in Apple Valley, California across the street from St. Mary's Hospital. At first it was a small strip mall that included a pharmacy. Later, in 1962, when Don Bigler took over the pharmacy, he suggested to Berniece that she convert the building into a medical building, which she readily agreed to. Here a picture depicts an artist's rendering of the building and a picture of Mr. Bigler with Berneice in front of the reconverted building.

Mrs. Lynn loved to travel and visited many countries around the world. Interestingly her favorite was Thailand, where she went at least twice, and kept many fond memories. As she was declining in health, it became necessary to remodel the Lynn Building. Inspired by her love of the orient, the Lynn Building was given an subtle oriental flair which sets it apart from other buildings in the area. Letters were received from community officials expressing appreciation for the upgrades.

Around that time, Mrs. Lynn was remarried to William Hull and decided to move her residence to Apple Valley. She loved being an important and recognized member of the local community, and, to make sure she wasn't missed, Berneice built a home that became a principal landmark in Apple Valley. Over the years it has been referred to as the "Halloween" house, the "Bat Wing" house and even as the "Flying Nun" house, but we call it "The Lynn House."

The home was designed by E.A. Thompson of San Francisco, and the builder was Wright C. Kemp. Unique in design and construction, The Lynn House is built on the rocks with steel I-beams and glass. It is designed as a one bedroom home, with a small office, gourmet kitchen, large living room and family room and a downstairs maid.s quarters. The master suite has two bathrooms, his and hers. The home included some remarkable features in its design including curving shower stalls that did not require shower doors, a jacuzzi tub, low voltage electrical system through out the house that could be entirely controlled from the master bedroom. The kitchen had two dishwashers, sub-zero fridge and freezer, bar-b-queue grill, bun warmer and a low sink accessible to wheelchairs. Outside the house sports an outdoor pool & whirlpool with hydraulic doors that completely seal the pool from the elements and neighborhood children.

From this remarkable residence is a fabulous view of the entire valley. Mrs. Lynn loved to cook and amassed a collection of cook books that would rival a large bookstore. Many people were entertained in her home over the years, and her kitchen was put to good use.  She loved to watch the sunrises and sunsets from her living room.  And she loved to sit in her glass walled living room and tell visitors about the history of the area while pointing out landmarks to them. 

She hoped that others would someday enjoy the view and grow to love and appreciate the High Desert as she did. The home was purchased by J.W. Faherty (a local building developer) in 2002 , with the promise that he would restore the home to it's former glory, which he has beautifully  done. In January 1973, Mrs. Lynn divorced Mr. Hull (who died the following year).  

On 17 December 1981 Berneice married the builder of the Lynn House, Wright C. Kemp. Mrs. Lynn loved Mr. Kemp and said he was the best part of her life. A kind and generous decorated retired colonel in the Army, Mr. Kemp.s first wife had passed away. He and Berneice enjoyed a few months of marital bliss together before he died in 1982. Because Mrs. Lynn loved him so much, the Lynn Foundation community grants are given in his honor.

Mrs. Lynn was a member of the Eastern Star and was a founding member of St. Mary's Hospital Executive Council formed in 1974 as an advisory committee and liaison to the community. She was a very loving, caring woman who wanted to help others.

In addition to having been involved in good works during her life, she dedicated her estate to the community of the High Desert under the Lynn Foundation. The Lynn Foundation's gifts for scholarships and community grants grows each year and continues as one of the largest donors to the high desert community. The lives she touched were forever changed, and with the grants and scholarships that are given, we believe she is still touching many lives. 

Berneice U. Lynn died of complications of pneumonia October 15, 1992 in Victorville, California.